Learn how corresponding authors at participating UK institutions can publish eligible research open access in BMJ journals under the JISC agreement
The BMJ–JISC open access agreement provides a streamlined route for qualifying authors based at participating UK universities and research bodies to make their work freely available. Under this arrangement, fees for eligible articles are covered by the institutional agreement, so authors do not need to arrange payment at the point of acceptance.
This summary explains who can benefit, what publications and article types qualify, and the practical steps to confirm eligibility and submit your manuscript.
Authors should note that this offer applies specifically to appropriately funded or otherwise covered research and that each institution’s participation and funding availability must be verified.
The guidance below highlights the main requirements—such as author role, affiliation, funder validation, and licensing—so you can prepare your submission correctly and avoid administrative delays after editorial acceptance.
Who can use the agreement and basic eligibility
To qualify, you must be the corresponding author on the accepted paper and list a current, eligible institutional affiliation at the time of acceptance.
In practical terms, that means you are the primary contact with BMJ after editorial acceptance and are employed by, or registered as a student at, a participating university or research institute. The agreement covers corresponding authors affiliated with institutions that are part of the JISC consortium and have an active contract with BMJ.
Only certain types of work are supported: the scheme is focused on original research articles that report primary findings. If your paper falls into another category, it may not be eligible for fee coverage under this specific agreement. Before submission, confirm that your target journal is included in your institution’s drop-down list during the submission process, since only specified BMJ journals participate in the arrangement.
Eligible funders and special covers
Funded articles must correctly identify an eligible funder. Accepted funders include UK Research and Innovation (comprising the Medical Research Council, Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Arts and Humanities Research Council, Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, Economic and Social Research Council, Natural Environment Research Council, Science and Technology Facilities Council, Innovate UK, and Research England), plus charities such as British Heart Foundation, Blood Cancer UK, Cancer Research UK, Parkinson’s UK, Arthritis UK, and the Wellcome Trust. Some institutions also have agreements that permit open access for research not funded by these bodies; check your institution’s policy for full details.
How to confirm eligibility and prepare your submission
At submission you should declare your primary affiliation clearly in the manuscript and verify institutional eligibility using your Ringgold ID or your institution email domain. The submission system includes an institutional drop-down menu where participating organisations appear; select your employer or higher education provider to trigger eligibility checks. It is essential that the institution’s open access agreement with BMJ is active and has sufficient funds at the time your paper is accepted—eligibility is assessed at acceptance rather than at initial submission.
When completing funding details, use the submission system’s drop-down list to identify your funder and provide any grant numbers required. Accurate funder metadata ensures the article is published under the correct licence and that open access charges are allocated to the right contract. If your funder requires a specific licence, that mandate will take precedence over institutional default licences.
Licensing and journal-specific exceptions
Most funded open access articles under the agreement will be published with a CC-BY licence, allowing wide reuse with attribution. Some institutional agreements allow publication under CC-BY-NC in selected titles; these journal exceptions include ADC, BJO, FG, GUT, HEART JMG, JNIS, JNNP, PN, and THORAX. If your funder mandates CC-BY, that requirement overrides any institutional default. For clarity on licence application in a particular journal, consult your library or institutional open access team before acceptance.
Practical tips and further support
If you are unsure whether your submission is covered, ask your institution’s library or research office to confirm participation and fund availability. They can also provide guidance on Ringgold IDs, institutional drop-down selection, and correct funder entry. Many institutions operate dedicated open access pages that list participating journals and describe local procedures for allocating fees under the JISC–BMJ agreement.
Finally, if your case has nuances—for example, multiple funders, mixed affiliations, or non-standard article types—reach out to BMJ’s author services or your library for advice ahead of acceptance. Doing so ensures the correct licence is applied, avoids delays at publication, and clarifies whether the institution will fully cover the article processing charges under the agreement. Find out if you are entitled to institutional funding by checking your institutional portal or contacting your library.
